Foodie News Flash: New Restaurants in Singapore this August

We’ve got the lowdown on all the hot new restaurants in Singapore this month, mama!

Hey, mama! Need a quick shot of inspiration for a night out on the town (no kids, that is)? Here’s our pick of Singapore’s latest restaurants and newest bars, condensed and served up in tasty bite-size pieces just for you.

EDITOR’S PICK
Fat Lulus – Smokey Mains, Dessert Bar

Fat Lulus has taken over Five & Dime (the management stays but the Chef, menu and interiors have changed). New to the crew, Chef Sam Chablani brings his signature “char burn” taste to the menu. Dishes include the delicious Burnt Corn ($9) an import from his last post: bicolour corn from the Cameron Highlands in a finger licking umami spicy sour cream sauce and the tasty Ikan Bakar ($22) of grilled parrot fish marinated in turmeric, garlic chilli butter and spices served with cucumber achar. Balance some of the charred flavours with the delightfully simple San Marzano tomatoes with sexy burrata drizzled with basil olive oil ($15). Don’t shy away from unusual dishes like the delicious Pan Seared Beef Tongue ($16) and whatever you do, leave room for dessert. Pastry Chef Song can be watched plating up desserts ($14/16) from 6 coveted bar seats overlooking the dessert counter. Plump for the three-course dessert tasting menu ($35) or dive straight into our favourite dish, named ‘Childhood’, consisting of a Peanut Butter ice cream popsicle coated in dark chocolate with raspberry granita. Desserts are served till 11pm on weekdays and 2am on Fridays and Saturday. Look out for free parking at the back of the restaurant.

Fat Lulus Restaurant & Dessert Bar, 297 River Valley Road, Tel: (+65) 9236 5002, www.facebook.com/sgfatlulus

EDITOR’S PICK
Chiak – Healthy Rice & Noodle Bowls

Mapletree Business City has a new build-your-own rice and noodle bowl spot, Chiak (owned by Cedele). These bowls are a great healthy option for your office lunch with green crunchy veggies and interesting toppings. Place your order by opting for a base (choice of noodles, brown rice or salad), 1 protein like Chicken Shaoxing, Red Miso Salmon, Spicy Chicken Basil or Pear Beef Stew, plus 2 sides like Wakame Fungus Salad and Jicama carrot salad, 3 toppings like the tasty soft 5-spice peanuts, grilled pumpkin and toasted coconut, and a dressing. If time is short they have signature bowls ready designed ($8.80-$13.80). For breakfast there is Kopi and Toast — the toast jazzed up with Coffee Butter and Vanilla Bean or Black Sesame and Custard! Or there’s the interesting breakfast option of Pumpkin Porridge with a good old cuppa Teh. Good news has travelled fast here so beat the queues and come before the lunch hour stampede!

Chiak, 40 Pasir Panjang Road, Mapletree Business City, #02-37, Singapore 117383, www.chiak.sg

Haakon – Super Juices, Acai bowls in HV

Holland Village is adding a few characterful feathers to its normally commercial hat with the opening of Haakon Superfoods and Juice Bar (alongside Patissez below and Full of Luck Club from last month). We tried the Acai Detox Juice ($5.50), a delicious thirst-quenching number full of antioxidants, immortal powers and wrinkle-halting ingredients: Organic acai, apple, coconut water and blueberries. Open from 8am both weekdays and weekends – pop in for healthy drinks like Lean Green smoothies ($5.90/6.90), Kyoto Matcha Lattes with Soy Milk ($5.50), plus a selection of sandwiches and salads. Set up by two Singaporean-Scandinavian brothers, the menu borrows some iconic Scandinavian ingredients like Salmon, Rye bread and Brunost cheese (a sweet soft brown whey-based cheese). Haakon was still fine tuning their savoury items (which include Vegan Bowls & Smashed Avo & Feta on Rye) but we can give a big thumbs up to their Instagram-ready Acai bowls ($7.90/$12.90) served in a uniquely designed bowl with chia pudding and a choice of toppings from pitaya to berries, almond butter, coconut flakes, cacao nibs and paleo-grain free granola.

Haakon, Raffles Holland Village #01-03, 118 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278997, www.haakon.com.sg

Pâtissez Singapore – ‘Freakshakes’ in Holland Village

The Australian phenomenon of Freakshakes has arrived in Singapore. The franchise first appeared in Asia by way of Malaysia but our little red dot can now get their hands on these ice cold shakes gloriously decked out in cream, cake, brownies, pretzels and over the tops sauces. There are four main flavours to try but they are working on some local additions to the mix. All go for $16 – the chocolatey Muddy Pat, the salty sweet Pretzella (where Nutella meets pretzels and has an epic party), Mint Condition, and the Snickers-inspired Sneaky Freak. When these bad boys arrive on your table there is an OMG moment while you take in the decadence of scorched marshmallows and brownies, bountiful mousse and sauce dripping over the edges. Taste-wise however these Freakshakes are more icy than creamy and thick. Keep an eye out for their deliciously crispy doughnuts with different fillings and their savoury menu sounds interesting too – everything from Corn Zucchini Fritters ($15) to Breakfast Burgers ($16) of bacon, scrambled eggs and bacon jam in a milk bun to a pretty stack of hotcakes drizzled in mango and orange sauce with honeycomb and ice cream ($15).

Pâtissez Singapore, 118 Holland Avenue #01-06, Singapore, Tel: (+65) 6262 3616, www.facebook.com/PatissezSG

Coyote – Tex Mex in Phoenix Park

Spruce is no more. In its place is Coyote, a new Tex-Mex establishment by the same owners dishing out fusion Tex-Mex. The grounds and restaurant are a little tired but the space appeals to families thanks to their small outdoor playground, alfresco seating as well as aircon options, baby chairs and a kids menu. A bouncy castle (currently under repair) is normally out in full force on the weekends to keep the little people happy while their parents chow down on a Tex-Mex brunch of Huevos Carnitas Benedictinos ($19) – Poached Eggs on a Corn Waffle with BBQ Pulled Pork. The brunch menu includes the usual Western breakfast consisting of eggs many styles, plus a few Tex-Mex breakfast options to the staple of Nachos ($15) and a selection of burgers (from $20). Dinner offers fine dining style dishes like Papaya Cod ($38) and the Signature Wagyu Brisket De Res ($35), or more casual Tex-Mex focused dishes like Elotes ($15), Tequila Wings ($17) and then of course Quesadillas, Burritos, Tacos and Enchiladas in everything from Spicy Crispy Beef Lung ($21) to Chicken ($17) and Prawn ($18).

Coyote, 20 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, Singapore 247980, Tel: (+65) 6836 5582, www.coyote.com.sg

More Foodie News: Hot off the Hob

Epicurean Market is back on from 12^th – 14^th August at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Expect foodie galore with a farmer’s market, cooking demonstrations by chefs Daniel Boulud, Nancy Silverton, David Myers, Tetsuya Wakuda, David Thompson and Justin Quek. Get tickets here. Open Door Policy has gone gluten and dairy free with a new concept, menu and indoor garden theme. Janice Wong (of 2am Dessert Bar) will be launching her new flagship retail boutique and dine-in concept at the National Gallery end August – we can’t wait to try her edible toys and games! Open Farm Community have new dishes on their menu – don’t miss the Japanese curry flavoured Chicken Katsu Burger ($28), and the stunningly red coloured Beetroot Fregola with Crispy Jurong Frog Legs ($26). Looking for dim sum brunch with a kids’ playroom? Check out Mitzo Restaurant & Bar for modern Cantonese dim sum and for the kids – a playroom with kids flicks plus activities. National Kitchen at the National Gallery has just launched a Peranakan High Tea from 230-5pm for $28pp. See our full review for more deets; they’ll also be opening up their new alfresco patio seating for dining with a view.